How to Spatchcock a Turkey

Glistening skin and juicy meat come easily to a spatchcocked turkey. All you do is cut out the backbone, press the turkey to flatten, and brush with a mix of olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Start with the turkey breast-side down. Use poultry shears to cut along both sides of the backbone, beginning at the tail end. If you hit a tough spot, try cutting with just the tip of the shears.

Set aside backbone (and giblets) for stock. Take hold of both newly cut edges, and open the turkey. Remove any large pieces of fat. Turn the turkey breast-side up.

Place your hand on one side of the breast, close to the breastbone, and push down firmly until you hear a crack. Repeat on the other side. (For better leverage as you work, stand on a step stool.)

Pull the thighs outward so the turkey lies flat, with the wings facing inward. Tuck the wing tips under to secure.

Place the turkey on a rimmed baking sheet. Let stand for 30 minutes. Use a basting brush to apply oil mixture. To roast turkey, follow the recipe's instructions.

A spatchcocked turkey requires a slightly different carving technique than a bird cooked the traditional way, but the basic approach remains the same: Remove the legs and wings, and then slice the breast meat.

With a sharp chef's knife, remove each leg by cutting through the turkey where the thigh connects to the breast.

At the joint of each leg, cut drumstick from thigh. Transfer thighs and drumsticks to a warm platter. Tent with foil.

On one side, find the joint connecting wing and breast, and cut through it (not shown). Repeat to cut off other wing. Cut breast meat into two pieces, slicing along either side of breastbone.

Slice the breast meat across the grain. Arrange on the platter with the dark meat, and add the wings.